Collecting Unemployment Benefits in Florida

In Florida—as in every other state—employees who are temporarily out of work through no fault of their own may qualify to collect unemployment benefits. The eligibility rules, prior earnings requirements, benefit amounts, and other details vary from state to state, however.

Here are the basic rules for collecting unemployment in Florida; the state calls these benefits "reemployment assistance." In Florida, the agency responsible for unemployment benefits is called the Department of Economic Opportunity.

Florida Unemployment Benefits: Eligibility Requirements

You must meet three eligibility requirements to collect unemployment in Florida:

• Your past earnings must meet certain minimum thresholds.
• You must be unemployed through no fault of your own, as defined by Florida law.
• You must be able, available, and actively looking for work.

Do You Meet the Minimum Earnings Requirement?

Virtually all states look at your recent work history and earnings during a one-year "base period" to determine your eligibility for unemployment. (See Nolo's article Unemployment Compensation: Understanding the Base Period for more information.)

In Florida, as in most states, the base period is the earliest four of the five complete calendar quarters before you filed your claim for benefits. For example, if you filed your claim in October of 2023, the base period would be from June 1, 2022, through May 31, 2023.

During the base period, your work history and earnings must meet all three of these requirements:

• You must have been paid wages in at least two of the four calendar quarters that make up the base period.
• Your earnings during the entire base period must be at least one-and-a-half times your wages in the highest paid quarter of the base period. For example, if you earned $5,000 during your highest paid quarter, your total earnings for the base period year must be at least $7,500.
• You must have earned at least $3,400 during the entire base period.

Are You Out of Work Through No Fault of Your Own?

You must be out of work through no fault of your own to qualify for unemployment benefits.

Collecting Unemployment After a Layoff

If you are laid off, lose your job in a reduction-in-force (RIF), or get "downsized" for economic reasons, you will meet this requirement.

Collecting Unemployment After Being Fired

If you are fired for a reason like not being good at the job or not having the skills to perform the job, you should be able to collect benefits. But in Florida, employees who are fired for misconduct connected with work may not qualify for unemployment benefits.

Misconduct is defined as an intentional or controllable act (or failure to act) that shows a deliberate disregard of the employer's interests.

Misconduct also includes failure, without good cause, to maintain a license or certification required for the job. An employee who is fired for performance problems, carelessness, inefficiency, or good faith errors in judgment will ordinarily qualify for benefits.

Collecting Unemployment After Quitting

If you quit your job, you won't be eligible for unemployment unless you had a good reason for doing so relating to your work or a personal illness or disability.

If you left your job because your spouse was transferred by the military, you will remain eligible for benefits. And, if you left a temporary job because you were recalled by your permanent employing unit within six months after termination, you will be eligible for benefits.

Are You Available and Actively Searching for Work?

To maintain your eligibility for unemployment compensation, you must be able to work, available to accept a job, and looking for work. (See Nolo's article Collecting Unemployment: Are You Able, Available, and Actively Seeking Work? for more information on these requirements generally.)

If you are offered a suitable position, you must accept it. You must also keep a written record of your work search contacts, which the agency may ask you to submit at any time.

Amount and Duration of Unemployment Benefits in Florida

In Florida, your weekly benefit amount is calculated by dividing your total earnings for the highest paid quarter of the base period by 26, up to a current maximum of $275 per week. You can receive benefits for anywhere between 12 to 23 weeks, depending on Florida's current unemployment rate.

In 2024, you can get only benefits for 12 weeks due to the low unemployment rate in Florida.

How to File an Unemployment Claim in Florida

You must file your claim for benefits online. You can do so at the state's CONNECT site.

Once it reviews your application, the agency will send you a Wage Transcript and Determination Notice, indicating whether you meet the monetary eligibility requirements for unemployment (past earnings during the base period).

If you meet these eligibility requirements, an agency adjudicator will determine whether you meet the other eligibility requirements (for example, that you are unemployed through no fault of your own) and will send you a second determination notice.

If your claim is granted, you will have to request payment every two weeks, either online or by phone, and meet ongoing eligibility requirements (for example, searching for work).

How to Appeal a Denial of Unemployment Benefits in Florida

If your claim for unemployment benefits is denied, you may file an appeal within 20 days after the date the determination was mailed to you. You may file online, by mail, or by fax.

After receiving your appeal request, the agency will schedule a telephone hearing and mail you a packet of information to help you prepare. Following the hearing, the appeals referee will decide on your case and mail the decision to you. (For more information, see our article on how to appeal an unemployment denial in Florida.)

If you disagree with the referee's decision after the hearing, you may appeal it to the Unemployment Appeals Commission; you must file this second appeal within 20 days after the date the first appeal decision was mailed to you.

The commissioners will review the evidence from your original hearing and issue a written decision. If you disagree with this decision, you may appeal it to the Florida District Court of Appeal.

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity provides detailed information on the unemployment process at its reemployment assistance service center page.

Updated January 24, 2024